This handbook is intended to help school boards become more effective governing bodies by becoming more efficient in conducting routine business, improving their abilities to reach constructive decisions and to solve problems, making their meetings sources of good will among members, students, and the community, and developing and following written policies and procedures for conducting board meetings. In addition to furthering these general goals, the handbook provides an introduction to the laws regulating the conduct of board meetings in Illinois. The work is presented in 10 chapters that focus on organizing the school board, Illinois legal requirements, planning for meetings, conducting meetings, the duties and responsibilities of meeting participants, recording the meeting, decision making, dealing with the public, working with the news media, and evaluating board meetings. Among the topics covered are the election and orientation of new members, designing an agenda, handling minutes, conducting closed meetings, adopting policy, and dealing with school administrators. Sample policy statements are provided to illustrate ways to put the text's suggestions into practice. Appendices and exhibits include articles, statements, checklists, and other materials supporting and enriching the text. (PGD)